Top 10 North Indian gravies

When I joined the culinary school, I was really excited to learn Restaurant style North Indian gravies because all my life people have been asking ,“ Yeh hotel jaisi subzi gharpe kaise banti hai ?” and now I have answers to those questions. While learning the basics of Indian gravies, we were taught Basic White Gravy, Basic Spinach Gravy, Basic Makhani Gravy and onion tomato masala but, with the addition of different spices I have mastered many other veg gravies. These gravies are easy to make and can be turned into lip-smacking subzis in just a few minutes. You can even make them in bulk, cool it completely and store in an air-tight container or food-grade zip lock bags in the freezer for up to 2 weeks. While making the subzi using the stored gravy, thaw and use it as per the recipe requirement. In case of storing the Basic white gravy avoid adding curds and cream as they might spoil on storing.

Talking about Nawabi khana, North Indian food is highly influenced by Mughlai cuisine. Taste the Nawabi gravy and you will know what we mean! Full of dry-fruits like cashewnuts and almonds which are combined with aromatic ingredients like coconut, whole spices, onions and ginger, it is not only flavorful but also has a luscious consistency. Toss it with some mawa based kesar koftas and serve this Nawabi Kesar Koftas with Nawabi Naan or Tandoori flatbreads to relive the lives of kings! The curd based basic white gravy is mellow in flavor and crowd-pleasing. The bland taste of the gravy can be perked up with an addition of spicy koftas.

Treat yourself with this traditional Dum aloo bursting with flavors. Enjoy it hot with your naan or parathas. This dish with strong flavors is made with ingredients that are readily available in our kitchen shelves and is very easy to cook.

The lush green Basic Spinach Gravy is not only appealing but also, healthy. To retain the natural green colour, blanch the spinach leaves in simmering water and refresh it in cold water. Ground them into a smooth paste with other ingredients and make a wide range of dishes like Palak Paneer, Aloo Palak, Lehsuni Paneer Palak Subzi and the list is never-ending. Also, the Basic Coriander Green Gravy is a peppy gravy with vibrant taste. Ensure that the stem portion of the coriander is not used much since the stem can impart a bitter after-taste post grinding. Toss vegetables like baby potatoes or baby corn to make palatable subzis.

Popular North Indian gravies in restaurants

The Basic Kadai gravy needs no introduction. Featuring on top of the North Indian section, this gravy is perfect for Indian palate. The tangy hint from tomatoes and spicy notes because of the red chilies, this gravy blends well when combined with paneer, an assortment of vegetables to make an array of subzis like Kadai Paneer, Kadhai Khumbh Subzi, Kadhai Tofu.

Toss handful of ingredients that are easily available in your kitchen to create this appetizing Basic Pasanda Gravy. This versatile gravy goes well with Paneer tikki, soya mutter, baby corn and just about all veggies , because of its mild sweet-spicy flavor. If you are in the mood to eat something spicy , then try this Basic Kolhapuri Gravy. Hailing from the Kolhapur region , it is equally popular in other regions of our country and around the globe. The sour taste of tomatoes is balanced with cashews and onions, the addition of other spices and especially Malvani masala, a popular Maharashtrian spice mix intensifies the flavor.

top 10 north indian gravies, veg gravies

Nawabi culture reminds us of its opulence, which is reflected in the cuisine too. Taste a Nawabi gravy and you will know what we mean! Made of coconut, cashews and almonds flavoured with whole spices, onions, ginger and other ingredients, the Basic Nawabi Paste helps make a rich gravy, which goes well with Nawabi Kesar Koftas , paneer , baby corn and just about all veggies , because of its luxurious texture and intense flavour.

Basic Pasanda Gravy, this unique gravy is made using browned onions and boiled onion paste, thus giving it a pale whitish colour. It is enriched with cashewnuts which masks the mild spicy taste of the gravy. It is a versatile gravy and can be used with other vegetables besides the classic “paneer” combination.

White gravy, this curd-based gravy is prominent in North Indian cuisine.
It is white to off-white in colour and bland in taste compared to other gravies. It is made richer and creamier with the extensive use of cashewnuts and cream.
Combined with mixed vegetables, paneer, koftas or soya chunks, this can be used to whip up delectable recipes such as Hariyali Kofta .

Basic spinach gravy, this is a very basic gravy that can be used with a variety of vegetables to make subzis. It has a natural dark green colour, and a medium spicy taste because of the combination of ingredients like green chillies and curds. It is best to blanch and then use the spinach so that it maintains the bright green colour. Once blanched, cool and blend to a smooth paste using a mixer, and then use as a base for the gravy.

The Basic Coriander Green Gravy is a peppy green gravy with a tangy and herby taste, which goes well with potatoes and a lot of other veggies. It has a luscious texture and a vibrant taste, thanks to flavour enhancers like onion, garlic, green chillies and ginger. You can make this gravy and use it immediately, or you can make it in the morning and store it in the fridge.
As soon as you are back from work in the evening, just toss in some cooked veggies and salt, to make a tongue-tickling subzi. However, remember that it cannot be preserved even in the fridge for more than a day as it has curds and milk.

Dum Aloo gets its characteristic flavour and texture from the intensely-flavoured gravy that the potatoes are cooked in.
The gravy gets its deep flavour and luscious texture from a paste of onions and spices, cooked along with tomato pulp and fresh cream.
You can make a batch of Basic Dum Aloo Gravy using this recipe, and use it immediately, or deep-freeze it to whip up your favourite dishes in minutes when you wish to.

Of a semi-dry consistency, and with the prominent flavour of tomatoes, kadhai based gravies are just perfect for the Indian palate. The Basic Kadhai Gravy is reddish brown in colour and more on the spicier side because of the red chillies used.
The tangy tinge and spicy notes of the gravy appeal to most people, which makes it a perfect fit in buffet or wedding menus. The gravy can be used with an assortment of veggies and of course, paneer too, lending itself to a wide spread of recipes like Kadhai Paneer , Kadhai Khumbh Subzi and Kadhai Paneer Subzi .

Hailing from the Kolhapur region as the name suggests, this is a medium spicy gravy with the enticing tang of tomatoes and the crunch of sautéed onions.
Cashews give the gravy a rich flavour and mouth-feel, while a horde of spice powders and pastes, including a special Malvani Masala, give the Basic Kolhapuri Gravy a brilliant flavour. Being a tangy and medium-spicy one, this gravy is quite versatile and goes well with a range of vegetables, paneer and beans too.

Basic makhani Gravy, the name says it all! The cream and butter used to prepare this gravy gives it the name “makhani”. It is a reddish tomato-based gravy commonly used in North Indian cuisines.
The sour taste of tomatoes is balanced by the use of fresh cream. Makhani gravies are an all-time favourite on the menus of almost all restaurants; the very famous Paneer Makhani , will tell you why! it can be combined with vegetables of your choice too.
Malai Koftas in Makhani Gravy , Makhani Paneer Tikka Roll and Mushroom Mutter Makhani are other popular recipes made using this gravy.

Basic green paste, this is a coriander-based gravy, which is pale green in colour. It is a little spicy and sour in taste compared to other gravies because of the green chillies and the lemon juice.
Ensure that the stem portion of the coriander is not used much since the stem may impart a bitter after-taste after grinding. It is a versatile gravy and can be use with an assortment of vegetables, although it goes best with the humble corn!